Heavy rains flood Hanoi, disrupting traffic

According to the Hanoi Drainage One Member Limited Liability Company, heavy rain fell between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Tuesday, with some areas receiving over 150 mm of rainfall in just two hours. From 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., rainfall in inner city areas was recorded as follows: over 150 mm in Tu Liem Ward, 165 mm in Thanh Xuan Ward, over 195 mm in Hai Ba Trung Ward, and nearly 320 mm in O Cho Dua Ward. A total of 65 points of flooding were reported across the city.

Thang Long Boulevard. Photo by Hoang Giang

Two girls push their stalled motorcycles on Nguyen Xien Street. Photo by Huy Manh

Traffic stands still on Nguyen Xien Street. Photo by Huy Manh

Vehicles stranded on a street in Tu Liem Street. Photo by Pham Chieu

The area in front of My Dinh Stadium. Photo by Viet Tuan

On Vo Chi Cong Street, the main route to Noi Bai Airport and northern provinces like Phu Tho, Tuyen Quang, and Lao Cai, water levels rose to 30–40 cm, forcing many vehicles to turn around or take alternate routes.

 

 

Heavy rains flood Hanoi, disrupting traffic

Xe cộ quay đầu trên đường Võ Chí Công

At the Pham Hung - Ton That Thuyet intersection, near the My Dinh bus station, floodwaters reached about 50 cm as heavy rain continued. Vehicles crowded under the overpass, waiting for the water to recede. Motorcycles and cars were stuck in the water, and many people had to walk through the flooded streets, getting wet.

Nhat Long, a resident near the bus station, said his usual 20-minute commute took 40 minutes that day. "My office is on Cau Giay Street, and I usually take Ton That Thuyet to Nguyen Hoang, but it was flooded, so I had to detour through Tran Quoc Hoan to Pham Van Dong, squeezing through small alleys to finally get home. Everywhere is flooded, traffic is stuck, and this is worse than last month's flood," he said.

The area around Ton That Thuyet Street and Nguyen Hoang Street near My Dinh Bus Station remained flooded from morning to noon.

The area around Ton That Thuyet and Nguyen Hoang is still flooded until noon. Photo by Tung Dinh

People seek temporary shelter under the overpass. Photo by Tung Dinh

Residents push motorcycles through deep floodwaters. Photo by Tung Dinh

People arriving at My Dinh bus station had to walk through the flooded area, unable to find a ride. Photo by Tung Dinh

As heavy rains continued, the Mai Dich intersection continued flooding, slowing traffic.

On Pham Hung Street, near the My Dinh bus station, severe flooding led traffic police to set up barricades at the Pham Hung - Pham Van Dong intersection, redirecting vehicles to Ho Tung Mau Road and National Highway 32.

Soft barriers are set up at the entrance of Pham Hung Street, near the Mai Dich intersection. Photo by Pham Chieu

Residents are advised to avoid the deeply flooded section heading toward My Dinh bus station. Photo by Pham Chieu

A police officer navigates traffic flow at the Mai Dich intersection. Photo by Pham Chieu

Mai Dich Street was flooded 30–50 cm deep, making it difficult for vehicles to move.

As a car passed through the flooded section, it created a wave that knocked over a woman and her motorbike traveling in the opposite direction, as shown in the following video.

 

 

Heavy rains flood Hanoi, disrupting traffic

Ôtô tạo thành sóng nước xô nghiêng người dắt xe đạp

On Vo Chi Cong Street, nearly a dozen workers and water pumps are on standby to prevent flooding on this vital route connecting Noi Bai airport to downtown Hanoi.

Workers on standby on Vo Chi Cong Street. Photo by Pham Chieu

A taxi drives through a flooded section of Vo Chi Cong Street during the heavy rain. Photo by Pham Chieu

The streets of Ham Nghi, Nguyen Van Giap, and Luu Huu Phuoc in Tu Liem Ward are flooded up to half a meter.

Many vehicles broke down and had to be pushed along the road.

Nam, a mechanic with over ten years of experience on Nguyen Van Gap Street, said he repaired six broken-down vehicles in just two hours this morning.

A man pushes his broken-down motorbike on Nguyen Van Giap Street. Photo by Pham Du

A delivery driver attempts to pass through a 60 cm deep flood on Nguyen Van Giap Street. Photo by Pham Du

A student pushes her bike through a flooded area on Ham Nghi Street. Photo by Pham Du

Following heavy rain, the yard of Dai Mo High School in Tay Mo Ward was completely flooded.

Students had to roll up their pants and waded through the water to head home after school.

Two students wade through the floodwater. Photo by Hoang Giang

Students leave school in heavy rain. Photo by Hoang Giang

Heavy downpours, with intervals of 10–15 minutes between showers, continued to fall, making it difficult for commuters to navigate flooded areas. Some parts of the city experienced traffic chaos.

Along Mai Dich Street, sections were submerged under 30–50 cm of water, leaving cyclists and motorcyclists struggling to find their way home in the heavy rain.

People huddled on the sidewalk under a metro railway to avoid the heavy rain in Hanoi. Photo by Pham Chieu

A cyclist on Mai Dich Street. Photo by Pham Chieu

A car running through a flooded area on Mai Dich Street. Photo by Pham Chieu

Traffic in some areas became chaotic during the heavy rain. Photo by Pham Chieu